Final Day of Carnaval Barranquilla - Videos and Pictures

The final day (Tuesday) of Mardi Gras is known for the funeral procession of "Joselito Carnaval" the representation of the Carnaval which is deceased (since it is the last day), and is then buried.  Of course it is a parade with dancing nonetheless. This one was right in the street and no fence so everyone can go right up the participants to dance, take pictures, or cry with the many "widows" of Joselito dressed in black (both beauty queens and drag queens) and parading. 

While this Carnaval does not have the topless women and the over the top costumes that the Rio Carnaval is known for, it clearly is a city- and country-wide event with many strong traditions that remain very much alive. For the non-Colombian visitor, it is chance to see live Cumbia, Mapale and other traditional dancing on a large scale, and hear live music of all kinds which is rare to find (live) outside of Colombia and never on this large of a scale. This is also a country of beauty which is very much on display in both the women and the men.  Interestingly, it is also a chance to see a somewhat fractured country come together for a large community-wide event, and of course a chance for a big party which is non-stop, all day and all night for 5 days in a row. 

Even Obama would not miss the festivities as he greets Walter and Vamos Colombia Tour!

The videos will give an idea of the non-stop dancing all the way down the many blocks of the parade. Check out the Mapale and the Afro-Caribbean dancing, and you will get an idea of where Shakira learned her moves! (One video here, the second in the next entry)

The partying, by the way, is famous here for the use of foam and fine white corn powder, both of which are sprayed on everyone when they are drinking, or just watching the parades. We managed to avoid it until the last night, when we found a group of friends of a friend, who quickly became our friends too, found a hoping bar with tables on the street, let go, had fun with everyone else!

Feather and Fantasy at Third Barranquilla Carnaval Parade

Feathers and fantasy costumes were the order of the day on the third and final parade in Carnaval Barranquialla 2009. Many of the same groups as on the first day, but all of them seemed to dance continuously down the long parade route (only 2 hours for this parade, so more managable). We also had the chance to go check out the participants before the parade began for some close up photos. 

Check us out at www.vamoscolombiatour.com

Grand Parade #2 at Barranquilla Carnaval

More pictures from the second day of parades at the Barranquilla Carnaval. Mostly traditional dance groups from different regions of Colombia, complete with traditional and modern costumes and outfits. Here are the pix. 

UNESCO has designated the Barranquilla Carnaval as part of the Intangible Cultural Patrimony of the world.  Perhaps in response, Barranquilla has undertaken a concerted effort to bring young people into the tradition, in order to keep it alive. As a result, the parade is full of young people (in complete costumes and dancing up a storm), as well as the older generation who still cannot get enough. 

Carnaval Barranquilla - Partying is Serious Business!

The Barranquilla Carnaval has three main parades, Sat, Sun and Mon. The parade route is lined with covered stands some which require purchased tickets and others open to the public (we got tickets ahead of time). You get there early for a good seat (we got front row on the corner which was best for pictures), and they have staff which will get you food and drinks as you like (alcohol included).

The first parade is a mix of dance groups, live bands (which even the dance groups have live music with them - seems like nearly everyone in Barranquilla is a musician or a dancer!), beauty queens (who also dance here, I might add), and outrageous costumes. The populations must work the rest of the year on creating the costumes and outfits - some of the dance groups have over 100 people, all with 

the same traditional clothing!

Here is just a sample of the range in the parade. As you can see, the parade is so au courant, even Obama made an appearance (3 times in fact - once with his whole family waiving at the crowd). 

The parade goes for many blocks and take several hours. Young, old, and everyone in between participates. And it is just the first of three days! Now that is a Colombian party!

For dinner we ate delicious Latin-Fusion cuisine that was worthy of California - but at less than 1/2 the price, complete with Martini de Coroso (a tart red tropical fruit only found here).  Of course we had to check out the gay night life, and each place was packed, with live music, live dancers and very alive drag queen performers. Que rico!

Live Cumbia Music Gets all of Carnaval Dancing (Not too hard to do actually)

Vamos Colombia Tour brings you a taste of the live music featured in the free concert in the Plaza de Paz tonight in Barranquilla. A celebration of traditional Colombian cumbia music, with both stars and locals. 

The crowd was dancing along the whole time, with a special part right in front of the stage blocked of for those dancing the whole time, while the rest of the crowd would just sing and dance and cheer as they liked. 

The crowd was a cross section of the Colombian population - all sectors, statuses and colors. Only a few international tourists were glimpsed, although people from all over Colombia come to Barranquilla for the Carnaval each year, especially those who enjoy traditional Colombian music (which is just about all Colombians!)

Notice the traditional woven hat in black and white which is extremely popular at Carnaval, rivaling the Carnaval masks and characters costumes. 

Check out the videos we took:

The street food was plentiful but we did not try it:

Barranquilla - The New Orleans of Colombia

So we figured out that Barranquilla is basically the New Orleans of Colombia: both are large port cities on the Caribbean; both have mixed populations (that don't always mix) with a strong African influence; both flood regularly; both have old classical style mansions which are crumbling down but exude a neglected old style that needs a little cleaning up; both have hot and humid weather (which right now is not too bad due to winds); both love to party and especially on Mardi Gras/Carnaval time when the whole city takes part!

Throughout the city, the buildings are festooned with the typical Carnaval decorations. This is actually a government office in an old mansion. 

The history of the Carnaval costumes as well as the city as a whole is housed in a run down mansion that serves as a museum now (above). 

We went for a drink at "La Cueva" which was an old bohemian writers hang out - noted now for Gabriel Garcia Marquez' presence (a long time ago - see black and white pic below) and it now has been redone and serves as a restaurant and show-place for arts of all types. While we were there, the "King" of this year's Carnaval (and thus quite a celebrity here) showed up to entertain and be interviewed by the international media, which turned out to include us (see above). He is holding a head as that is part of the character who is the theme of this year's Carnaval. Que Chevere, as the Colombian say, How cool is that!

Carnaval in Barranquilla - It's the real thing!

Visitors to Barranquilla will find that holy grail of travel experiences that everyone wants but seldom is actually found: Authenticity!

Barranquilla offers nearly nothing in the way of tourist sites, so what happens here is the real thing. Carnaval times turns the whole city into a big party, or more specifically, many parties happening at the same time all over, for several days in the row.  A the gay life is surprisingly alive!

We arrived on Thursday before "Fat Tuesday - Mardi Gras" which is called Carnaval here. Our day was meant to tour the local hotels for future reference for Vamos Colombia Tour, but it turned into a day long party - starting on the airplane! Avianca raffled off a prize to those with the best Carnaval gear and to those willing to dance up the aisle of the plane! (The free Whiskey and Rum helped!)

When we landed at the airport and picked up the luggage, there was a huge case of beer going around the luggage belt - we thought someone had sent it, but then realized that the bear company also sponsored the live music and group of dancing girls that greeted the arriving passengers. Clearly, the city is in a party mood. 

Then while visiting the hotels, we ran into a Carnival group practicing at one of the fanciest places (The Prado Hotel), complete with famous Vallenato musician Alfredo Gutierrez:

We ate at nice, but not expensive local restaurants, and then met a friend of Walter's who took us to see the local gay nightlight, and there was much to see! Here is just some of it (from gay bar/disco Studio 54):

Along the way, we met new friends too:

Followed by late dinner at 3am! 

And this is just the first day...

[more to come]

Interested in travel to Colombia? check out www.vamoscolombiatour.com

Carnaval in Barranquilla Colombia 2009 gets underway

Vamos Colombia Tour is now visiting Barranquilla to experience the unique UNESCO recognized Carnaval! Moreover, we will report back on the gay side of the Carnaval, which right now is underreported. Check back for more details soon.

UNESCO's recognition can be found at: http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?cp=CO&topic=mp#TOC1

The link for the Carnaval itself is at: http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org/previo/default.html

Colombia "Excellent" Tourist Destination Says World Tourism Organization

The World Tourism Organization qualified Colombia as an "excellent" tourist destination in its latest report on global tourism.

According to the organization's chairman German Porras, Colombia "knows how to do it extraordinarily well (...) because it was able to transform reality, especially concerning security and infrastructure and because it has been able to create a brand image of the country that is worth a lot for both its tourist sector an foreign investors."

The report praises Colombia for having known to double the number of foreign visitors in the last five years and make the tourism sector the country's third largest after oil and coal.

Colombian Minister of Industry, Commerce Tourism Luis Guillermo Plata stressed its countries "great efforts" to "revive tourism."

Colombia - A New Gay Travel Destination (English/Español)

Colombia - A New Gay Travel Destination

Cartagena, Colombia is a two hour flight from Miami, and Bogota is a three hour flight. From Los Angeles, it is a seven hour direct flight to Bogota. The areas within the country that are most visited are all within a short flight, from 20 minutes to one and a half hours, from Bogota, and are served by several domestic and international airlines.

Many travel authorities, both gay and mainstream, have recently discovered Colombia, and include its top sights among the emerging destinations and "must-see" in the Americas (and the world):

The New York Times travel section has featured Cartagena as the tropical "belle of the ball" (May 25, 2008, & May 20, 2007 editions), and a gourmet food destination (Oct. 26, 2008 ed.). It has also noted Medellin (Aug. 12, 2007 ed.) as one of the safest cities to visit, with highlights including museums dedicated to Colombia's most famous (living) painter/sculptor Fernando Botero, and the Coffee-growing region of Colombia (Feb. 12, 2006 ed.) as a relaxation destination coming into its own.

The Australian gay magazine DNA (January 2008, Issue 96) raves about Colombia as the newest "shining star" among gay travel destinations, where one will find a hot time in the clubs and gay life, and wonderful cultural attractions as well.

The American gay travel magazine Passport (February 2008), not to be outdone, notes that Bogota has the first LGBT community center in Latin America, and has many modern and large gay bars and venues, complete with go-go dancers, making it a rising gay travel destination. It also lists the UNESCO designated Barranquilla Carnival celebration among the "hot spots for the jet set" (February, 2009).

Frommer's has included Cartagena in its list of ten "Top Destinations for 2009", specifically because of its good tourist infrastructure, its historic colonial architecture, UNESCO protection and designation, and the sublime white sand beaches.

Lonely Planet, the bible of independent travel, has not only long known about Colombia, but now includes its Caribbean islands of San Andres and Providencia in its world-wide "Best of 2009" top destinations to visit this year.

Even the upscale mainstream Town and Country Travel Supplement (Summer 2008) was charmed by the "magic" of Cartagena, the "seductive seaside city that Gabriel Garcia Marquez calls home."

Visitors to Bogota are stunned and overwhelmed to discover the thriving gay life in that city of 8 million people. The gay neighborhood (Chapinero) is well stocked with cafes, restaurants, stores, gyms, saunas, video- and book-stores, and other meeting places in addition to the bars of course. More than 40 gay bars can be easily visited in the gay (and other chic) neighborhoods and the place to be on Saturday night is a converted theater which now is a gay club that holds 5000 people (and gets packed because drinks are included in the cover charge). The drinking age is 18. The large number of venues caters to all sorts of styles and tastes, from upscale cafes and nightclubs to lounges to dive bars and dance clubs featuring live music and performances. Colombians like to meet Americans, and many Colombians are also on-line, and technologically savvy, which provides another way to meet locals (although their English proficiency levels will vary).

Gay rights is an ever-changing issue in Colombia, as in so many places in the world today. Same sex couples can register their partnership and have been recognized for certain legal benefits, and gay and lesbian people are continuing to get more and more publicity in the press and on television (including the ever-popular soap operas).

Beyond Bogota, the other major cities also have several gay bars, saunas and other gay community meeting points, most notably Cartagena and Medellin. Incidentally, while prostitution (over the age of 18) is not technically illegal, acting as "pimp" is barred by law, as is any sex with a minor.

In Colombia you will find a combination of the best aspects of countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, all in one compact and diverse country. Colombia has a high diversity of flora and fauna comparable to Costa Rica, and surpassed only by (the many times larger) Brazil. The colonial cities and towns (including Cartagena as well as Villa de Leyva, Barichara and several others) are restored gems among the largest and best on the continent. The white sand beaches rival any Caribbean island. The city nightlife compares favorably to Buenos Aires. The landscape of the coffee growing region resembles the rolling hills of Tuscany and at the higher Andean elevations, the Alpine slopes.

The true uniqueness of the country, however, is found in its people. Recently ranked the third happiest country in the world, Colombia is famous throughout the Latin (and greater) world for its friendliness, and its people's joy and love of parties and a good time, and their willingness to include all guests in the fun. This is further reflected in Colombians' innate politeness and attentiveness to the needs of travelers.

Colombian food is little known in the United States, but is full of exotic fruits not found outside the tropics. Unlike Mexican cuisine, it is not spicy, and in addition to the ubiquitous fresh fruit, tends to emphasize delicious meats, potatoes and other starches, and on the coasts and rivers, fresh fish and distinctive Caribbean flavors.

Cruise ships are another recent tourism addition to return to Colombia. Disney Magic cruises have started arriving in August of 2008, and along with many other lines, makes stops in Cartagena, and Santa Marta (near the famous Tayrona national park). In 2007, over 100,000 cruise passengers came to Colombia, and in 2008 such notable lines as Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises just to name a few, were expected to double that number.

Colombia is justly famous for its exports such being the worlds top supplier of emeralds (which can be purchased at significant savings in certain spots in the country). It also is a world leader in the exportation of flowers and orchids, and Medellin's flower festival each summer is a national highlight. Of course, coffee -- specifically high quality, organic and fair trade Arabica -- is such a well known Colombian specialty that "Juan Valdez" has again become the symbol of premium Colombian coffee, available both inside and outside the country.

All who visit Colombia inevitably leave wanting and planning a return visit because there is always something more to see, experience and discover. Come find out for yourself!

For more on how to visit Colombia, check Vamos Colombia Tours at
www.vamoscolombiatour.com or call Walter Rey at (415) 637-2660 (USA) or if in Colombia: (57) 1 804-3528.
Español:

Colombia - Un Nuevo Destino de Turismo Gay

Cartagena, Colombia está a dos horas de vuelo desde Miami, y Bogotá es de tres horas de vuelo. Desde Los Ángeles, son siete horas de vuelo directo a Bogotá. Las áreas del país que son las más visitadas se encuentran a un corto vuelo, de 20 minutos a una hora y media, desde Bogotá, y son servidos por varias líneas aéreas nacionales e internacionales.

Muchas personas que trabajan con turismo, tanto gays como otros, han descubierto recientemente a Colombia, y sus principales lugares de interés incluyen entre otros los destinos emergentes y este pais es "para no perderselo" en las Américas (y el mundo):

El New York Times ha publicado la sección de viajes de Cartagena como el tropico "belle of the ball - belle de la bola" (25 de mayo de 2008, y 20 de mayo de 2007 ediciones), y una gastronomía de destino (26 de octubre de 2008 ed.). También ha tomado nota de Medellín (12 de agosto de 2007 ed.) Como una de las ciudades más seguras para visitar, con destinos entre ellos dedicados a los museos más famosos de Colombia (que aun vive) pintor / escultor Fernando Botero, y la región cafetera de Colombia ( 12 de febrero de 2006 ed.) como próximo destino para su relajación.

La revista australiana gay DNA (de enero de 2008, Número 96) escribio sobre Colombia con mucho entusiasmo como la nueva "estrella" entre los destinos de viajes gay, donde pasara un tiempo super (caliente) en los clubs y la vida gay, ademas de maravillosas atracciones culturales también.

La revista de viajes gay de América Pasaporte (febrero 2008), para no quedarse atrás, tomo nota de que Bogotá tiene el primer centro comunitario de LGBT en América Latina, y tiene muchos grandes y modernos bares y lugares de celebración, con los bailarines go-go, por cual se ve  el aumento de los viajes con destino gay. Asimismo, las listas de la UNESCO han designado la celebración del Carnaval de Barranquilla entre los "puntos calientes para la jet-set" y como uno de los mas originales desfiles que conservan su cultura. (Febrero, 2009).

Frommer's ha incluido Cartagena en su lista de diez "Mejores Destinos para 2009", en particular debido a su buena infraestructura turística, su arquitectura histórica y colonial, UNESCO  la ha designación, por la proteccion lo sublime y las playas de arena blanca.

Lonely Planet, la biblia para viajeros independientes, no sólo ha escrito vastante sobre Colombia, pero ahora incluye a sus islas del Caribe de San Andrés y Providencia como unas de las mejores en todo el mundo  "Best of 2009"  los mejores destinos a visitar este año. 

Incluso la lujosa revista de Town and Country Travel Supplement (verano 2008) incorporo  y han sido encantados por la "magia" de Cartagena, la "seductora ciudad costera que Gabriel García Márquez llama hogar."

Los visitantes a Bogotá, quedan estupefactos y abrumados al descubrir la floreciente vida gay en esa ciudad de 8 millones de personas. El barrio gay (Chapinero) está bien surtido de cafés, restaurantes, tiendas, gimnasios, saunas, videos, tiendas y otros lugares de reunión, además de los bares, por supuesto. Más de 40 bares gay pueden ser fácilmente visitados (y otros chic) en este barrio se encuentra mas visitado el sábado por la noche este lugar era un teatro que ahora es un club gay que tiene capacidad para 5000 personas de ambiente (el precio de la entrada incluye bebidas). La edad de beber es de 18 años. El gran número de lugares para nuestra comunidad abastece a todo tipo de estilos y gustos, desde los cafés de lujo y clubes nocturnos a los salones y bares  a los clubes de baile con música en directo y actuaciones. Los colombianos estan en comunicacion con los el mundo por la internet, y muchos colombianos también están en línea con la tecnología y conocimientos,  proporcionan otra forma de cococer a  los locales (aunque sus niveles de Inglés puede variar).

Los derechos de los homosexuales es una cuestión siempre cambiante en Colombia, como en tantos lugares en el mundo de hoy. Parejas del mismo sexo pueden registrar su union civil y han sido reconocidos para muchos beneficios jurídicos, y los gays y las lesbianas siguen obteniendo más publicidad en la prensa y en la televisión (incluyendo siempre los personajes gays en las populares telenovelas).

En otras ciudades aparate de Bogotá,  también tienen varios bares, saunas y otros puntos de reunión para nuestra comunidad lesbiana, gay, bisexual y transgender sobre todo de Cartagena y Medellín. Por cierto, la prostitución que es legal (para personas mayores de 18 años) no es técnicamente ilegal, en realidad ser  "manejador de otros" es prohibido por la ley, así como cualquier relación sexual con una menor de edad.

En Colombia se encuentra una combinación de los mejores aspectos de todos los países del Caribe y América Latina, todo en un compacto y diverso país. Colombia tiene una alta diversidad de flora y fauna similar a Costa Rica, y sólo superado por de Brasil (un pais mucho mas grande). Las ciudades coloniales y los pueblos (incluidos los de Cartagena, así como Villa de Leyva, Barichara, Salento y varios otros) se destacan como joyas entre los mayores y mejores en el continente. La playas de arena blanca que son como las mejores islas del Caribe. La vida nocturna de la ciudad se compara favorablemente a Buenos Aires. El paisaje de la región de cultivo de café se parece a las ondulantes colinas  Toscanas y las más altos montanas de los andes recuerdan las elevaciones de los Alpes.

La verdadera originalidad del país, sin embargo, se encuentra en su gente. Recientemente ocupó el tercer país de las personas más felices del mundo, Colombia es famosa en todo latín america (y mas) y el mundo por su amistad de su pueblo, la alegría y el amor. Siempre dispuestos a incluir voluntariamente a todos los invitados a la diversión. Esto se ve reflejado en los colombianos "innata cortesía y atención a las necesidades de los viajeros".

La gastronomia de Colombia es poco conocida en los Estados Unidos o el mundo. pero está llena de frutas exóticas que no se encuentra fuera de los trópicos. A diferencia de la cocina mexicana, no es picante, y además de la omnipresencia de frutas frescas, tienden a destacarse deliciosas carnes, gran variedad de papas y demás almidones y féculas, y en las costas y ríos, el pescado fresco es característico del sabor caribe.

Los cruceros son otra reciente adicion al turismo de Colombia. Los cruceros de Disney Magic han comenzado a llegar desde agosto de 2008, y junto con muchas otras líneas, hace paradas en Cartagena y Santa Marta (Tayrona, cerca del famoso parque nacional). En 2007, más de 100.000 pasajeros de cruceros llegaron a Colombia, y en 2008 las líneas famosas tales como Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises y por solo nombrar algunos, se espera que se duplique ese número.

Colombia es famosa por sus exportaciones del  mundo es el proveedor mas grande  de esmeraldas (que pueden ser comprados como inversion y ahorro significativo en algunos lugares en el país). También es un líder mundial en la exportación de flores y orquídeas, la flores y en Medellín el festival cada verano es un despliege de relieve nacional. Por supuesto, el café - en concreto de alta calidad, orgánicos y de comercio como el Arábica - es una especialidad bien conocida de Colombia y que "Juan Valdez" ha vuelto a convertirse en el símbolo de la exportacion de café de Colombia, disponible tanto dentro como fuera del país.

Todos los que visitan Colombia inevitablemente desean regresar y empiezan a organizar otra nueva visita, porque siempre hay algo más para ver, experimentar y descubrir. Venga  a descubrirlo por ti mismo!

Para más información sobre la manera de visitar Colombia, contactarnos a Vamos Colombia Tours en:
www.vamoscolombiatour.com
o llame al Walter Rey (415) 637-2660 (EE.UU.) o si esta en Colombia: (57) 1 804-3528. por favor deje su numero y mensaje.

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walter@vamoscolombiatour.com